Hebrew · H7919, G5426 · unreviewed

מַשְׂכִּיל

To be (causatively, make or act ) circumspect and hence, intelligent · to reason

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

שָׂכַל H7919 to be (causatively, make or act ) circumspect and hence, intelligent

Pronunciation šākal

Prudent awareness combining careful observation with wise action; intelligence grounded in circumspection rather than mere knowledge

Open lexicon entry →

φρονέω G5426 to reason

Pronunciation phronéō

To be minded or disposed toward something; to set one's orientation on specific priorities.

Open lexicon entry →

What does מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) mean in the Bible?

שָׂכַל · φρονέω is a Hebrew word meaning "to act prudently, behave wisely".

Full entry for מַשְׂכִּיל (H7919, G5426) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to act prudently, behave wisely

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 37×

Participle active 1Sam 18:14 · 1Sam 18:15 · Jer 50:9 · Job 22:2 · Prov 10:5 · Prov 10:19 · Prov 14:35 · Prov 16:20 · Prov 17:2 · Prov 19:14 · Prov 21:12 · Ps 14:2 · Ps 41:2 · Ps 53:3 14×

Imperfect 1Sam 18:5 · 2Kgs 18:7 · Isa 52:13 · Prov 16:23 · Prov 17:8 · 1Kgs 2:3 · Josh 1:7 · Josh 1:8 · Deut 29:8 · Ps 94:8 · Deut 32:29 11×

Perfect Jer 10:21 · Jer 20:11 · Job 34:27 · Ps 64:10 · Ps 106:7 · 1Chr 28:19 · Ps 119:99 7×

Infinitive absolute Jer 9:23 · Prov 1:3 · Prov 21:16 3×

Sequential imperfect Ps 2:10 1×

Cohortative Ps 101:2 1×

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×

Perfect 1Sam 18:30 1×

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×

Perfect Gen 48:14 1×

Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 39 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form

Participle 14 Imperfect 11 Perfect 9 Infinitive absolute 3 Imperative 1 Cohortative 1

Stem

Hiphil 37 Qal 1 Piel 1

Mood

Indicative/jussive 11 Indicative 9 Imperative 1

OT Occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New Mark 8 — Seeing Jesus Clearly: Bread, Blindness, Confession, Cross, and Discipleship Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Philippians 2 — The Mind of Christ and the Humility of Gospel Witness Philippians 3 — Counting All Things Loss and Pressing On Toward Christ Philippians 4 — Rejoicing, Peace, Contentment, and Gospel Partnership in Christ Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details